Shifting Noise???

[Mountaineer]

My first M50 didn't do it either, this one does it fairly consistently when I don't match the rev's carefully.

[drawflush]

Speaking of shifting, not to hijack the post, but Im going to guess I'm not the only one that has a hard time throwing the bike into 1st from neutral when im at a stop...Yesterday I was holding up traffic because the damn thing wouldnt drop to 1st, I shook, leaned, rolled and then finally it clicked...not sure whats going on, its like the lever just seazes right up.

[donny662]

Originally Posted by drawflush

Speaking of shifting, not to hijack the post, but Im going to guess I'm not the only one that has a hard time throwing the bike into 1st from neutral when im at a stop...Yesterday I was holding up traffic because the damn thing wouldnt drop to 1st, I shook, leaned, rolled and then finally it clicked...not sure whats going on, its like the lever just seazes right up.

My mom's GZ250 will do that: not wanting to go into first from neutral. I let out the clutch lever while in neutral, and then, after I pull the clutch back in, it will shift without trouble. The shift lever moves a bit, but it won't actually go that extra inch to change gears. This happened to me once or twice on the VZ800 as well but not nearly as many times as on the GZ250.

If you're at a stop, stay in gear the whole time. This allows you to get going at a moment's notice in case the need arises. Also, you won't have to worry about being stuck in neutral. If you hit neutral while trying to downshift from 2nd to 1st, get into 1st as quickly as possible to avoid being stuck and holding traffic up.

[SNAFU]

Originally Posted by drawflush

Speaking of shifting, not to hijack the post, but Im going to guess I'm not the only one that has a hard time throwing the bike into 1st from neutral when im at a stop...Yesterday I was holding up traffic because the damn thing wouldnt drop to 1st, I shook, leaned, rolled and then finally it clicked...not sure whats going on, its like the lever just seazes right up.

Rock the bike to help it into gear. http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...-1st-gear.html

[ace4aday]

Originally Posted by donny662

If you're at a stop, stay in gear the whole time. This allows you to get going at a moment's notice in case the need arises. Also, you won't have to worry about being stuck in neutral. If you hit neutral while trying to downshift from 2nd to 1st, get into 1st as quickly as possible to avoid being stuck and holding traffic up.

Great advice, Donny. You never know when you're going to need to move in a hurry....

[dan901]

thanks guys... I'm glad I found this thread. I've got an 08 m50 with about 700 miles on it now. Had the first service about 110 miles ago (about a week). Lately when I shift, it is clunking louder than it used it. Wasn't sure if it was something I should be concerned with. Sounds like this is par for the course with these bikes. No problem making the shifts... just loud.

[cyclesinct]

Originally Posted by dan901

thanks guys... I'm glad I found this thread. I've got an 08 m50 with about 700 miles on it now. Had the first service about 110 miles ago (about a week). Lately when I shift, it is clunking louder than it used it. Wasn't sure if it was something I should be concerned with. Sounds like this is par for the course with these bikes. No problem making the shifts... just loud.

Yeah, I've noticed that the amount of noice made by the clutch depends a lot on what oil is put in. So if you just had it checked up and I'm assuming the oil change, that would be the most likely reason that you hear a difference. But, like you said, its par for these bikes.

[cmarthaller]

Mine is pretty loud to. I wouldn't worry.

[nativenyerintexas]

Originally Posted by Rockyrikoko

I was worried about this when I first got my M as well. My mech pretty much told me don’t worry about it, some bikes are louder than others.

Another issue I have had is sometimes I have a hard time getting from second to first. On occasion its actually impossible once I’ve come to a stop and I just have to start in second gear. My mech adjusted the idle speed to help with this and it did help to an extent, but I have since messed with it and it’s acting up again.

As a rule I never down shift into first from second. I just apply the brakes and clutch until I stop. If you're already stopped and are trying to get from neutral or second to first just push the bike back a foot or two and you'll be able to get it in gear or release the clutch and try again. This seems to have worked for me.

[1badbaker]

Hmmmm....I always leave me bike in gear at stops and I always downshift from 2nd to 1st as I'm coming to a stop. Just seems safer to me to be ready to move when the soccer mom in the Lexus SUV behind me is talking on her cell and not looking at what's in front of her.

That aside....I do get some clacking when shifting in the lower gears, does seem quite as noticeable in the higher gears. It's been like that since I got it, my mechanic never says anything about it, so I figure its fine. If it goes, than I have a reason to learn how to rebuild a clutch.

[donny662]

Originally Posted by nativenyerintexas

As a rule I never down shift into first from second. I just apply the brakes and clutch until I stop. If you're already stopped and are trying to get from neutral or second to first just push the bike back a foot or two and you'll be able to get it in gear or release the clutch and try again. This seems to have worked for me.

As a rule, that's not a good idea. Why waste the time getting the bike from second to first while you are stopped when you can get into first much easier before you stop? It is safer to be able to get moving in a hurry when you need to. Shifting into first while you are stopped is like putting a switch on the side of your bike to make the brakes work. When you need to stop, you need to be able to brake, and when you need to get out of the way, you need to be able to get moving.

edit: I just reached 400 posts, and I see that 1badbaker has 800 posts . . . weird

[nativenyerintexas]

To each his own. I consider myself a 'professional' driver. I have a class AM with Haz Mat and Doubles and Triples endorsements on my license. I've won safety awards and skill awards for driving trucks. Yeah, I know what you're going to say, trucks are one thing, motorcycles are something else. I was taught you never need to downshift into first gear because it's too powerful a gear. Constantly worrying about what's coming up behind you is not a good thing either. You could be too worried at one point about the moron behind you and not see the dope in front of you slamming on his brakes or running the traffic light and broad side you. It's happened to too many people and it can happen to you. I'd prefer to drive a standard transmission the way I was trained to drive it and not be constantly worried about what dopey is doing. I do pay attention to the dopes out there but a skilled rider is more defined on how hey react than just keeping their bike in gear at a traffic light. I'm not a speed demon either. I could care less that it takes me an extra second to pop it into first gear once the light turns green. If I see an idiot on the road, I get out of his/her way as fast as I can and I will NEVER leave the bike in gear at a traffic light. The longer you leave the clutch pulled in, the quicker it burns out. You might get to where you're going faster than me but you'll also replace more clutches and/or brakes than I will.

Some might say I'm wrong. That's fine and you have your opinions but I have mine too. Statistically speaking, how often do you think someone actually rear ends a motorcycle as opposed to other accidents involving motorcycles. I'm sure they're not as common as you think they are. It's a matter of making yourself be seen by other drivers. Do you wear bright or reflective clothing? Do you position yourself in your lane to make yourself be seen easier by others?

One more thought. I shouldn't have said I'll never downshift into first gear... because there are times that I do. If I know a light s going to change in the next few seconds and I'm still rolling in second, I'll downshift into first so I don't have to actually stop and put a leg down. But once I'm stopped or if I know I'll be at a light for a while, I'll take her out of gear and release the clutch.

[donny662]

Originally Posted by nativenyerintexas

I was taught you never need to downshift into first gear because it's too powerful a gear.

Was that referring to trucks or motorcycles? If I'm not mistaken, many trucks' first gear is a "creeper" gear meant for cruising at idle engine speed or taking off from standstill with a heavy load. From what I understand about a "creeper" gear, the first gear on most motorcycles is not meant to be a "creeper" gear and is generally useful at speeds up to 15-25mph.

Originally Posted by nativenyerintexas

I'd prefer to drive a standard transmission the way I was trained to drive it and not be constantly worried about what dopey is doing.

If there is any need to fiddle with the clutch or shifter or to roll the motorcycle backwards to get the transmission to change gears, be it an H-pattern or sequential gearbox, someone has screwed up, be it designer or operator. I expect my brakes to work the moment I need them without any fiddling.

Originally Posted by nativenyerintexas

I'm not a speed demon either. I could care less that it takes me an extra second to pop it into first gear once the light turns green. [. . .] You might get to where you're going faster than me but you'll also replace more clutches and/or brakes than I will.

Neither am I a speed demon. My comments had nothing to do with speed for speed's sake or beating anyone to their destination or prolonging any lifespan except for the rider's.

[nativenyerintexas]

Originally Posted by donny662

Was that referring to trucks or motorcycles? If I'm not mistaken, many trucks' first gear is a "creeper" gear meant for cruising at idle engine speed or taking off from standstill with a heavy load. From what I understand about a "creeper" gear, the first gear on most motorcycles is not meant to be a "creeper" gear and is generally useful at speeds up to 15-25mph.

That not only goes for diesel powered trucks but gas powered cars too, which has the same basic gearing as the M50.

Originally Posted by donny662

If there is any need to fiddle with the clutch or shifter or to roll the motorcycle backwards to get the transmission to change gears, be it an H-pattern or sequential gearbox, someone has screwed up, be it designer or operator. I expect my brakes to work the moment I need them without any fiddling.

Huh?? What are you talking about?? I didn't anything about fiddling with brakes. Did you forget to take your medication?

Originally Posted by donny662

Neither am I a speed demon. My comments had nothing to do with speed for speed's sake or beating anyone to their destination or prolonging any lifespan except for the rider's.

If you're that worried about prolonging your lifespan, then you shouldn't be on two wheels. With being on a motorcycle comes the risk that you could die at any moment, whether it's your fault or not. My point is, your "As a Rule..." is not a rule at all, it's your opinion. If you're that afraid of being able to get out of the way quick enough, maybe you should get a sport bike and be done with it.

One last thought: If I were you, I wouldn't be offering riding advice where it wasn't asked for because it seems to me you're not an MSF Instructor. If you were, you wouldn't have given that advice. That being said, I'm done with this part of the thread.

[donny662]

Originally Posted by nativenyerintexas

Huh?? What are you talking about?? I didn't anything about fiddling with brakes. Did you forget to take your medication?

I was trying to make an analogy. In your first post, you mentioned that you needed to, on occasion, roll the bike backwards about a foot to make it go into first gear. I was saying that I don't want to be in that situation while I'm in the middle of traffic like I wouldn't want to be in a situation where my brakes don't work when I need them to.

Any medication I may or may not be taking has nothing to do with this conversation

Originally Posted by nativenyerintexas

If you're that afraid of being able to get out of the way quick enough, maybe you should get a sport bike and be done with it.

I feel just as safe sitting at a light on a 250cc bike, with it in gear, as I do sitting on an 800cc bike that is in gear. Horsepower has less to do with it than initial response time.

Originally Posted by nativenyerintexas

One last thought: If I were you, I wouldn't be offering riding advice where it wasn't asked for because it seems to me you're not an MSF Instructor. If you were, you wouldn't have given that advice. That being said, I'm done with this part of the thread.

You're right, I probably shouldn't have picked apart your post.

[mbgraham2000]

I routinely place my bike in neutral at a light. The lights are really long and I get tired of holding the clutch in. On occasion when I put the bike into neutral while coasting up to the stop I'll get that problem getting into first from neutral. All I do is press on the shifter, let the clutch out a little and then pull it back in and the transmission drops into gear. It is no big deal.

I always pay attention to the lights on the cross street, when they turn yellow I put the bike in gear.

It is important to be safe, of course, and it is important to feel safe. If you feel safer keeping it in gear at a light then do so. If you are not able to get your bike in gear you probably need to practice more.

[PerfectStranger]

With moving distance assured between myself and the car ahead, I stay in 1st gear at lights while observing my mirrors every couple of seconds. I don't want to be searching for 1st when it's needed immediately.

Had a close call this summer while sitting just as described. Was watching the mirrors and saw a car coming up pretty quick. Saw the car's nose dive down and a wide-eyed look on the driver's face. I scooted forward/right placing my front wheel beyond the bumper of the car ahead. While I was scooting I heard the squeal of locked up tires from that car in my mirrors. Had I not moved I would have been tagged. As it was, she stopped only a foot behind my rear wheel. I think she was reaching for a phone or CD. I turned around and pointed at my eyes a couple of times, meaning "Open your freaking eyeballs and pay attention".

I'm never complacent and I never assume that things are going to work out in my favor while riding. So far this mentality has saved me once that I know of.

Matt

[brettsm50]

Anyone ever notice a kind of squeak noise after you shift up? Seems to make a fairly audible but subtle squeak after the shifter peg goes up and the noise is when the peg comes down on its own accord. This is with the clutch being held in the whole time. Something new I noticed, maybe it just needs to be lubed up externally....

[camaleon]

Originally Posted by PerfectStranger

With moving distance assured between myself and the car ahead, I stay in 1st gear at lights while observing my mirrors every couple of seconds. I don't want to be searching for 1st when it's needed immediately.

Had a close call this summer while sitting just as described. Was watching the mirrors and saw a car coming up pretty quick. Saw the car's nose dive down and a wide-eyed look on the driver's face. I scooted forward/right placing my front wheel beyond the bumper of the car ahead. While I was scooting I heard the squeal of locked up tires from that car in my mirrors. Had I not moved I would have been tagged. As it was, she stopped only a foot behind my rear wheel. I think she was reaching for a phone or CD. I turned around and pointed at my eyes a couple of times, meaning "Open your freaking eyeballs and pay attention".

I'm never complacent and I never assume that things are going to work out in my favor while riding. So far this mentality has saved me once that I know of.

Matt

when i took my MSF course they guy said that u should be ready to go at any time...

btw: make sense to me to down shift to first gear and wait for the green light!

[JMD]

Originally Posted by nativenyerintexas

I was taught you never need to downshift into first gear because it's too powerful a gear.

I was not taught this but I agree comepletly.